William Fox-Pitt and Oratorio. © Solène Bailly Photos
If there was any doubt that 2021 has been a year for the Brits in equestrian sports, then the riders here in Pau have just swept it away!
As if it weren’t enough to have bagged the gold medal in the team event and silver in the individual event in Tokyo, then the gold again in the team event and the podium in the individual event at the European championships, the British contingent are back in Pau to fight for the title of the final major competition on the eventing circuit.
With a total of 23 riders on the start list, it was a pretty safe bet that some of them would be on the podium this evening.
And they did it with flair – five British riders have the first five places on the provisional leaderboard after the first 12 riders completed their dressage tests last night.
Leading the pack in equal first place are William Fox-Pitt riding Oratorio and Ailsa Wates riding Woodlands Persuasion on 27.4 penalties.
Nipping at their heels is Oliver Townend and Ridire Dorcha on 27.8 penalties. Ridire Dorcha is owned and trained by young Australian eventer Sophie Adams; the horse was originally purchased from Ollie and when Sophie moved overseas a few years ago
Ridire Dorcha travelled back to the UK with her. She’s had some great results with the horse, and Ollie has jumped back in the saddle at Pau for the horse’s first five-star.
Oliver Townend and RIDIRE DORCHA at Pau CCI5 2021. © Solène Bailly Photos
Currently in fourth position is Isabelle Upton and Cola on 28.5 and in fifth is Izzy Taylor on Ringwood Madras on 31.2 penalties.
However, the current placings are bound to change as the rest of the field complete the dressage phase tonight, including the two Australian riders Kevin McNab and Hazel Shannon.
Source: Event media release, edited by Equestrian Life
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